Websites and Software Applications
- Please follow the web-related tutorials on this website to ensure that you’re putting your content and code together with accessibility as part of your workflow. Don’t wait until it’s finished to find out that you need to rework your site or application.
- Check accessibility as you go, especially when adding new features.
- Learn how to evaluate your pages using Website and Application Tools.
- Use our Website and Application Checklist.
- If you need help beyond the tutorials, you can request a training consultation while you’re working on your website or application.
- Once the site or software is ready, use the contact form to request an internal review. Certified external evaluators may also be used for accessibility reviews. Examples of vendors who provide electronic accessibility evaluations include:
- We recommend allowing extra time in your launch schedule for any changes that need to be made.
Course Materials and Curriculum
- We highly recommend requesting an accessibility evaluation when curriculum is being adopted or renewed. Curriculum may include textbooks, instructional technology, adaptive courseware, modules such as MyMathLab, and many other electronic components. Considering accessibility during the adoption process can help minimize accommodation needs in the future.
- Individual instructors can request a consultation with the ATRC to evaluate their electronic content such as PDFs and PowerPoint file.
Purchasing Software and Electronic Systems
- Evaluating accessibility as part of the selection process for any software or electronic system (free or paid) is essential to preventing barriers in our electronic environment.
- If we can discover barriers before we purchase a product, we can minimize the need for accommodations.
- We can advocate with vendors to improve the accessibility of their products.
See Purchasing Technology for more about how to purchase technology with accessibility in mind.
Hardware and Physical Spaces
- The ATRC evaluates the hardware aspects of technology for accessibility.
- The ATRC also evaluates physical spaces that relate to accessing technology. This includes computer labs, classrooms (e.g., podiums), and office spaces. Use the contact form to request a consultation on hardware.
Section 508 and VPATs
Products that are being developed for sale or distribution outside of CSU should also include accessibility as part of the design and creation process. Any project that is subject to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act is required to provide a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) explaining the accessibility of the product.
We are unable to provide this type of evaluation internally. For help with validating your product’s accessibility and creating a VPAT, consider hiring a third-party evaluator. Potential options include (but are not limited to):
Document Remediation
The Student Disability Center and the ATRC do not have the capacity to remediate the thousands of documents flowing through our virtual campus. Due to the volume of content, we need each member of the community to step in and help with the process. Here are a few scenarios that may work.
- Individuals make their own content inclusive, making accessibility part of their workflow.
- Departments hire staff or GTAs to assist with making course or other electronic content accessible. This may be a good option if a specific accommodation is required and timeliness is an issue, or if a department generates a lot of electronic content unrelated to course materials.
- Departments outsource document remediation for more complex cases.
- 247 Accessible Documents offers reliable and cost-effective services.
